Whims of Fate

by Nissa Leder

“And it got her killed.”

  Kaelem resisted the urge to reply. She was baiting him. He knew she wasn’t really looking for a fight, but couldn’t resist her cruel jabs.

  “Where did you stumble upon your date?” Genevieve asked.

  Kaelem reached out, searching for a glimpse of her emotion. It seemed peculiar she’d be so interested in some random fae. True, Kaelem hadn’t brought a date since becoming king, but he hadn’t been king that long so the change shouldn’t have been so shocking.

  As Kaelem suspected, Genevieve’s emotion was locked tight. The curiosity flickering in her eyes worried him. Scarlett still exuded the lust from their encounter, which would be enough to mask her Seelie nature. Any interest from the queen must be coincidental.

  “The Summer Court, actually.” Kaelem shrugged. “She got tangled between the Summer Princes and their battle for the Summer crown.”

  “Oh? And did she choose the winning brother?”

  “I would imagine she’d be Cade’s date if she did.” Kaelem kept his voice playful, his usual flirtiness threading his words together.

  “Yes, I suppose so.”

  Kaelem twirled Genevieve across the dance floor in silence for the rest of the dance. He lost himself in thought as the orchestra played, the sound of the violin singing the melody.

  The Unseelie and Seelie courts were such strong enemies, Kaelem was hiding Scarlett from Genevieve simply because somehow, she was the offspring of both. But here he was, forced to dance with the Seelie Queen for mere appearance’s sake. The absurdity of it sent a soundless laugh through him.

  The peace between the courts was the thinnest of threads hanging just high enough not to be burned by the candle blazing below. All the fae festivities were attempts to keep the string high, but one wrong move by any court would drop it straight into the fire.

  Where would the Unseelie Court fall when that happened? According to the Fates, war was inevitable. It was only a matter of time. Could the Unseelie and Seelie courts come to a truce? Apparently, they had at some point or Scarlett wouldn’t exist.

  When the song was through, he and the Seelie Queen parted. With the opening dance over, the guests joined in as the orchestra moved to the next song.

  As Kaelem found Scarlett, Genevieve sat on a throne at the head of the room.

  Laik stood close to Scarlett, his body tilted toward her.

  Scarlett laughed at something Laik said as Kaelem approached.

  “I hope you enjoy the ball,” Laik said, then left.

  “New friend?” Kaelem asked.

  “He seems nice.”

  Kaelem was glad to see Scarlett and Laik conversing in a friendly manner. When war came, maybe Scarlett could convince Laik to make Genevieve see the benefit of siding with the Unseelie Court. As the most powerful and oldest fae leader, many would want her on their side.

  With a deep inhale, Kaelem shifted his thoughts. Enough time wasted on worries of allies and war. For now, he’d rather enjoy the night and Scarlett.

  He led her to the dance floor and said, “When in Rome…”

  “You talk a lot like a mortal,” Scarlett said as Kaelem tugged her in close.

  “I’ve lived in the mortal realm my whole life.”

  “In the Unseelie Court…” Scarlett’s large eyes locked with Kaelem’s as they danced.

  Kaelem saw the change in her. She’d grown far more comfortable around him the longer she’d stayed in the Unseelie Court. He broke her trust when he trapped Ashleigh in the mirror, but slowly she’d released her anger.

  “With the fae world linked to the human one, I find knowing its history is crucial to being a strong ruler to my people.”

  “Why? It’s not like humans stand a chance against the fae.” A pulse of sadness radiated from her at this thought.

  “No, likely not. But war amongst rivals is universal. Humans versus humans, fae versus fae. As long as the enemies are equal, there are similarities. There’s plenty to learn from the mistakes humans have made. Take Rome, for example. They conquered so much, making their fall all the harder.”

  “War is always ugly.” Scarlett sighed.

  Kaelem tilted Scarlett’s chin up so their eyes met. “It is. But you are beautiful.”

  Scarlett tilted her head and laughed. “Aren’t you the smooth talker?”

  “Me? Never.” He looked up as innocently as he could. It wasn’t his best line ever, but it changed the subject and that was enough.

  As they danced, Kaelem’s hands explored. His fingers traced the shape of Scarlett’s hips and snuck to the curves of her backside.

  Kaelem inhaled the lust dripping from Scarlett. Mmmm. Lust was the finest emotion and Scarlett’s was exquisite.

  Scarlett breathed harder as Kaelem’s hands greedily examined her. Oh, how he enjoyed the reddening of her cheeks.

  He felt heat in other places.

  As prince and now Unseelie King, finding lovers was always easy. He wasn’t complaining. Most of the time, he hadn’t had to do much to find a woman to bed. He could do what he wanted to her and her to him—a mutually good time.

  Watching Scarlett fight the lust between them was refreshing and it made him want her even more.

  As the song ended, she excused herself and pulled away.

  Kaelem grinned as she rushed through the dance floor and out of the room.

  Her willpower was crumbling bit by bit.

  Kaelem planned to break through it completely.

  Cade saw Scarlett hurry past him as he led Poppy out onto the dance floor.

  He glanced at the Unseelie King, who wore a grin of satisfaction. Had he hurt her?

  “What is it about her?” Poppy asked.

  Cade turned his attention back to Poppy. “What? Scarlett?”

  “Yes, Scarlett. The one who seems to draw every male gaze in the room. I’ve even seen the Seelie Queen’s advisor staring at her.”

  What did he want with Scarlett?

  Poppy added, “See, you’re jealous that he’s drawn to her.”

  “No,” Cade snapped. “I just worry about her. She’s vulnerable.”

  “She isn’t. Wherever she goes, there will be someone to protect her. I don’t know why everyone feels the need to keep her safe, but they do. It’s annoying.”

  Cade felt Poppy’s jealousy through the bond. He’d noticed it more than once. If it came from someone else, it might not have surprised him as much. But Poppy was fierce and confidence burst from her. She struck Scarlett down in the Winter arena like she was a child. Why did Scarlett bring out such envy in her?

  “Don’t let her get in the way of protecting the Summer Court,” Poppy said.

  “I would never.”

  Poppy lifted her eyebrows. “I don’t like the idea of angering any other court—especially not the Seelie Queen—but with the Fates predicting war, I don’t see any other choice. Scarlett is Unseelie. She might seem breakable and in need of a hero, but your people need you. She doesn’t.”

  “I know.”

  Cade wanted to be the king his people deserved. In order to best protect them, he needed more magic. The pendulum tilted too far to the mortal realm courts, leaving him vulnerable. He didn’t trust Nevina, but their common goal made her his best choice.

  As he glanced to the Seelie Queen, Laik bowed and walked away from her, straight to the drink bar.

  It was time.

  Cade pulled away from Poppy.

  She grabbed his hand and said, “Be careful,” before letting go.

  As the bartender handed Laik a glass of wine, Cade approached and ordered himself one. He checked his mental shields, fortifying them before he spoke.

  “Do you have a minute to discuss the future of our courts?” Cade took his wine.

  “Yes, of course,” Laik replied.

  “Somewhere quieter, maybe?” Cade asked. “Isn't the library close by?”

  Was that too forward? Maybe Cade shouldn’t have suggested it so quickly?

  Laik gave a confused
look but agreed to speak there.

  Cade relaxed but only for a moment. As they walked across the dance floor, his stomach clenched. What if his mental shields dropped? Could Laik read minds? It was a rare gift usually given to Unseelie fae, but it wasn’t unheard of for a Seelie fae to have the ability.

  Cade avoided the gazes of the dancers, sure they would see the guilt in his eyes. He hadn’t thought luring Laik away would feel so wrong, but every step closer to the library made him question his choice. What if the Seelie Queen found out?

  “How have you been adjusting to your role as king?” Laik asked after they’d exited the ballroom. The hallway wasn’t as loud, but other fae lingered there in conversation.

  “Good so far,” Cade answered, keeping his voice as steady as he could. “It’s a lot to learn.”

  “I’m sure. You’ll be a great king.” Laik nodded. “Your father was.”

  The mention of his father sent an ache to Cade’s chest. His father would never have approved of what he was doing.

  Cade gestured for Laik to enter the library first, keeping a step behind the queen’s advisor. Once they were both inside, the door swung shut and Nevina stepped out from behind it.

  A beam of ice shot from her hands and struck Laik in the chest.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, his body frozen in place. He stared at Cade, his brows furrowed in confusion.

  A wave of shame swam through Cade.

  “We have some questions for you.” Nevina glided to Laik.

  Cade stood awkwardly, his hands dangling at his side. He wanted to get the Summer power back, but Laik had been nothing but kind to him in the few interactions they’d had. It wasn’t Laik who’d stolen the power from the Faerie courts, binding them to their respective seasons long before Cade was born. While Cade agreed they deserved to have as much power as the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, he didn’t think this was the way to get the answers they needed.

  Had Cade expected Nevina to ask nicely, saying please to get all the answers? No, Cade wasn't that naive.

  Cade looked at the floor. Anything to avoid Laik’s stare.

  “You have served the Seelie Queen longer than I've been alive.” Nevina stopped inches away from Laik. “Surely she's shared secrets with you.”

  Laik didn't respond.

  Nevina continued, “But has she shared the secret I want to know?” She traced her finger down his cheek. “Let's hope for your sake she has.”

  Nevina wouldn't dare hurt him, would she? That would bring an all-out war. The Unseelie had little love for the Seelie Court, but if the Summer and Winter Courts attacked first, Kaelem would side with Genevieve.

  It wouldn't even be a battle. They'd destroy the Faerie courts.

  Nevina held out her palm. A dagger of ice formed in her hand. She held it like a knife and poked it into Laik’s arm.

  He winced.

  “You haven't even asked him anything,” Cade said.

  Nevina pushed it in further. “I'm giving him a taste of what refusing me will bring him.” She twisted the dagger. “Now, this can be easy or it can be hard. Your queen stole our power and hid it from us. Where is it?”

  Laik clenched his jaw. “I am not my queen. I didn’t take it.”

  Nevina yanked the dagger from his arm and plunged it into his leg. “No, but she trusts no one more than you. She wouldn't keep such crucial information to herself. Not without an heir to share it with.”

  Had Nevina lost her mind? Now the Seelie Queen wouldn't let them out of the castle—alive, at least.

  She pulled the dagger—still in Laik’s leg—down, causing him to scream.

  “Someone will hear us,” Cade insisted.

  “I sprinkled some willow tree powder at the door. No one will hear his screams.” Nevina’s face lit with satisfaction.

  Cade had heard of magic like that, but he’d never used it. It was banned in the Summer Court. Powders and potions were dark magic, used by witches, fae and human alike.

  “Don't make me ask you again.” Nevina wiggled the dagger.

  As much as Cade wanted the Summer Court to regain its power, this was wrong.

  What had he done?

  Kaelem lingered to the side of the dance floor as he sipped his wine and waited for Scarlett to return.

  He grinned as he thought of the expression she wore before pulling away from him. As much as she liked to try to make him believe she wasn’t attracted to him, her face gave her away. The lust that poured from her tasted divine. Kaelem could still feel its energy coursing through his veins. Mixed with the effects of the wine, he felt incandescent.

  As he finished another glass of wine, he searched the room. Still no sign of Scarlett. He must have really flustered her. He smirked.

  Across the ballroom, the Autumn King stood awkwardly with his hands at his sides.

  It wouldn’t hurt to perform his royal duties while he waited. Kaelem weaved through the dancing couples and approached the Autumn King.

  “Hello, Dagon,” Kaelem said with a bow.

  The Autumn King bowed back. “Hello, Kaelem. I don’t think I’ve seen you since your coronation.”

  “Has it been that long?” Kaelem stood next to Dagon and faced the dance floor. “The Autumn Court must keep you busy. Lots of leaves to rake?”

  Dagon’s expression didn’t change. “You have the same smugness your father had.”

  “So I’ve heard. I prefer to think I’m wittier than he was. And far less serious.”

  “Perhaps.” The Autumn King shrugged.

  “Seelie events are fun and all, but I’m surprised you decided to attend.”

  Dagon’s gaze remained forward as he replied. “The Autumn Court might keep to itself, but we aren’t immune to whispers.”

  “Ah, yes. The gossip of war.” Kaelem figured as much, but he hadn’t thought Dagon would admit it so freely.

  Dagon turned to Kaelem and met his stare. “And we aren’t a court to be underestimated.”

  Without blinking, Kaelem replied. “Neither are we.”

  Then he headed back across the dance floor to get another glass of wine.

  Chapter Eleven

  Scarlett hugged her knees to her chest as she kept hidden, crammed underneath a desk on the far side of the library.

  She'd come there to clear her head from the desire coursing through her as Kaelem caressed her while they danced.

  Now, she shook in fear as she listened to Laik groan in pain as Nevina tortured him. It had been ten minutes of agony, and he still hadn't told her what she wanted to know.

  Cade had suggested it might be dangerous, but Nevina had ignored him.

  Scarlett closed her eyes and reached out with her mind.

  If I give out her secret, she’ll never forgive me, Laik thought.

  Inside his mind, Scarlett felt another jolt of pain strike him. She pulled out and reached further. Nevina’s mental shields stood strong, but Cade’s had completely fallen.

  I'm such an idiot. Trusting Nevina? I saw what Kaelem’s sister looked like when she came from the dungeons. How could I have ignored her brutality?

  “Laik, your loyalty is admirable,” Nevina said. “But this is your last chance. The next stab is to your heart.”

  She isn't joking, Cade thought. I can't let her kill him. That's the surest way to bring my court to war. But can I stop her?

  Scarlett remembered the conversation she'd had with Laik as Kaelem and Genevieve danced. He'd asked her mundane questions about her life and seemed genuinely interested in her answers. And not just her life before she became fae, but her upbringing, as if being mortal was something to be proud of.

  She'd been surprised by his curiosity, but he’d met her when she was part-mortal. How often did someone transition as she had?

  He'd been kind. Scarlett couldn't let him die. If she and Cade attacked Nevina together, could they stop her?

  She had to try.

  Scarlett shifted her body as quietly as she could. If she were to attac
k, surprise would be her best weapon. Maybe, if luck was on her side, she could strike while Nevina was off guard and take her down. Cade would know about her presence then, and her only chance was that the remorse she’d heard in his head was enough to keep him from fighting her. She might be both Seelie and Unseelie, but her inexperience still showed.

  She slowly peeked around the desk, praying the darkness would keep her hidden. She couldn’t attack Nevina if she didn’t see where she was.

  “The queen keeps it stored in the gemstone of the necklace she wears around her neck,” Laik said tiredly, his body unmoving.

  Nevina huffed, pulling the icicle jutting from her hand back inside herself. “Figures.”

  “We can’t attack the Seelie Queen,” Cade said. “Not here in her own court.”

  The panic Scarlett heard in his thoughts was evident on his face. His wide eyes stared at Laik, whose chin hung forward into his chest.

  “No, we can’t,” Nevina said. “Not yet, at least.”

  “What do we do with him?”

  “We’ll leave him here. First, he’ll drink this, and he’ll forget this ever happened.” Nevina held a small vial to Laik’s mouth. He pressed his lips firmly together. “That, or I kill him. The choice is his.”

  “I’ll drink it,” Laik whispered.

  “Good,” Nevina purred.

  The Winter Queen’s conceited tone made Scarlett want to gouge out her eyes. She’d stick her nails in and push them until Nevina passed out from pain, only to wake to a world as dark as her heart. The Winter Queen would be as ugly on the outside as she was on the inside.

  Scarlett inhaled a deep breath. She needed to calm down. If her emotion got the better of her, she might give away her hiding spot. It wasn’t a good time to shatter any glass or knock over a bookshelf with anger.

  Nevina lifted the vial back to his mouth and poured it inside.

  A few seconds after Laik had gulped the liquid, he passed out. His frozen body fell to the ground with a thud.

  Nevina laughed. “Doesn’t look so strong now, does he?”

  As Scarlett saw the glee on the Winter Queen’s face, she snuck back into Cade’s mind.

  How does this make her happy? Cade thought. If I confess to the Seelie Queen, will she forgive me? No. She won’t. There’s no way. If she finds out, I’m dead.